A tale of two cities: working class identity, industrial relations and community in declining textile and shoe industries in Spain

Abstract

This paper focuses on the way conflict and cooperation in industrial and community relations interrelate, and how the social space of practices contribute to the emergence of a common cultural heritage, whether it be a workers’ heritage or a civil heritage. Furthermore, the dynamics of industrial sectors contribute to the changing aspect and character of what will be recalled as heritage. This analysis outlines the role that industrial relations in textile and shoe manufacturing sectors has had for the configuration of cultural heritage in two declining industrial cities in Eastern Spain: Alcoy (textile) and Elda (shoes). Conflictual industrial relations inside factories were and are linked to cooperative social relations between ‘clashing’ industrialists and workers. This occurs in daily life through a strong industrial paternalism, and with a strong presence of company owners in the social activities of these cities. This ’weaves’ the community around the existence of the textile and shoe factories; a social consensus is sustained by an image of capital and labour as citizens and members of the same community. On the other hand, a common civic heritage has been configured through the folklore festivities of Moors and Christians, in which most city citizens participate irrespective of their social position, and in which the role of workers and industrialists has traditionally been very important. From a qualitative approach, this work analyses the dynamics experienced by these cities’ common heritage, and the specific role that workers’ cultural heritage has played in it.